Make Her Cyber Smart
Sana S Vishwanath | Feb 27, 2007
You have surely heard of the innumerable instances where net predators lure children into their trap. To prevent this, you need to make your kids aware of the dangers that the Internet poses. Tell them what to expect from the Internet and how to react.
Know the Net
There are things that you should keep in mind and do too.
- 1. The first thing you need to do is become computer literate. Ask friends and family to help you out in operating the computer. You don't want to get embarrassed asking your teen what a URL is right? This way you will also learn how to block objectionable material.
- Always keep the computer in the living room or in a common area rather than in the kid's room. Position the monitor in such a way that you will be able to see what is happening from almost anywhere in the house.
- Monitor the amount of time your kid is spending on the computer. Is your kid spending hours on the computer every day? Is he staying up late to 'surf' the net? Keep a fixed amount of hours where he can sit on the net, say 2-3 hours a day.
- Keep yourself in the loop about your kid's computer activities. Sit with him once in a while and see what sites he goes to. And if you suspect him of going through objectionable material, you could go through 'History'.
Make a rule that only mom and dad can delete the 'History' list. You don't want your smart kids outwitting you, do you? - Keep all lines of communication with open. Let your kids know that they can come and talk to you about anything. The virtual world is not very different from the real world… save for the anonymity factor. Get your kid to 'introduce' you to his online friends.
- If she is chatting with someone, let her know what information she should and should not give out. Discourage your kid from talking to strangers giving them reasons as to why they shouldn't do so.
- Today there is software that you can download to control your kid's access to adult material and protect him from lurking predators. Check if your Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers parent-control material.
You can also find programs that will monitor your kid's online activity (surfing and chatting). Here are few.
www.contentprotect.com helps you determine what Internet content enters your home.
www.netmop.com protects families from porn.
www.spectorsoft.com is an Internet activity monitoring software
www.netdotsoft.com blocks all porn websites
www.chatminder.com captures online chat conversations
You could also install Internet filtering software from sites like;
www.netnanny.com
www.cybersitter.com
www.contentwatch.com
Lay Down the Law
You could probably take a print out of these rules and stick it to the computer table.
- Never give out personal information like contact numbers, address and the name of your school, etc. on the net.
- Never, under any circumstance, exchange pictures over the net with someone you don't know and haven't met.
- Be cautious of anyone you meet in a chatroom.
- Never agree to meet anyone face-to-face. If you want to meet a chat buddy, let mom or dad know and we will see from there.
- Never respond to messages, e-mails or bulletins that are obscene, suggestive or threatening.
- Always come and tell mom and dad if something or someone on the net is making you uncomfortable.
- Always ask permission before going online.
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